EWG's Guide to Bug Repellents in the Age of Zika: Top Choices

EWG Repellent Guide: Top Choices

DEET at less than 10% concentration can provide 1-2 hours of protection against ticks and mosquitoes. A 20-30% concentration product provides all-day protection from mosquitoes and ticks.

* Effective against wide range of pests
* Widely used with few serious adverse reactions
* Concentrations of 10 to 30% provide lasting protection against many species.

* Limit concentration used on children
* Strong eye irritant
* Melts some plastic and damages some fabrics
* In a few cases neurological symptoms have been reported
* Avoid products with more than 30% DEET, try time-release products when you need multi-hour protection

Picaridin

A 5-10% concentration can provide short protection time of 1-2 and up to 4 hours against ticks and mosquitoes. A 20% concentration product provides all-day protection from mosquitoes and ticks.

30% concentration (19% PMD) provides up to 6 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks

* Most effective botanical ingredient

* Not for use on children 3 and younger
* Can irritate lungs
* Possible allergens

PMD

10% provides 2 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks

* Lower allergen concern than botanical based product

* Not for use on children 3 and younger
* Can irritate lungs
* No higher concentration on the market

* The general effectiveness, pros and cons columns in the table refer generically to products formulated with the ingredient listed and do not make explicit claims on the quality or performance of any specific product. Effectiveness estimates are drawn from peer- reviewed literature and EPA registration approvals for labeling at http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/. Actual protection time varies in field tests. Experiment to see which products work for you to repel bugs in your area.

* The general effectiveness, pros and cons columns in the table refer generically to products formulated with the ingredient listed and do not make explicit claims on the quality or performance of any specific product. Effectiveness estimates are drawn from peer-reviewed literature and the EPA registration approvals for labeling at http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/. Actual protection time varies in field tests. Experiment to see which products work for you for the bugs in your area.

Use with Caution

Permethrin-treated clothing

* Doesn't require direct application to skin
* Useful in areas infested with mosquito and ticks, high disease risks and where other repellents are ineffective

* Chemical is more toxic than skin-applied repellents
* Safe handling necessary for treated clothing
* Home application of permethrin can lead to overexposure

Avoid Toxic or Ineffective Options

Product

Why?

Try instead

Bug zappers

Are ineffective and expensive, may attract more mosquitos to the area and kill beneficial bugs